OTAGO-GROWN APPLES

Evening Star, Issue 19855, 2 May 1928, Page 6

OTAGO-GROWN APPLES

A RECORD SHIPMENT PORT FACILITIES INADEQUATE Apple shippers of Otago are well occupied this week and will be particularly active next week. The loading of two steamers for .England is to proceed almost simultaneously. The Port Adelaide is to take in 26,500 cases of apples and pears, this being easily the record shipment of fruit from Otago m one vessel. The Somerset is to load 6,000 cases. Speaking about tho matter this morning, Mr H. Turner, secretary of the Otago Provincial Fruitgrowers’ Council, said; “The accumulation of such a quantity of fruit and the handling thereof serve to emphasise two facts that are vital in regard to this industry. The first is that there is a serious shortage of suitable railway trucks for tho efficient handling of sucli a big line of goods. The second is the crying need for more-up-to-date wharfage facilities. As things are, the fruit has to be railed alongside the ship exactly when the ship is ready to receive it. " On deep sea wharves worthy of the name there should be suitable and adequate storage accommodation for all such perishable produce, so as to enable it to be received properly as it comes to hand and housed safely. “I have been in touch with the Otago Harbour Board for some time in regard to remedying this defect when the extension of the Victoria wharf is being carried out, and it is, I believe, to include direct railway connection with that wharf, _ There can be no question that provision should be made to avoid the confusion and unnecessary worry that occur every fruitshipping season. “In the present difficult circumstances credit is due to the Railway Department for the manner in which it is endeavouring to overcome the joint trouble of a shortage of rolling stock and the obsolete shipping facilities of the port.” Mr Turner added that the final shipment for tho season will he by the Tongariro, which is to load at Port Chalmers about tho third week of the present month. She will lake approximately 20,000 cases, principally Stunner apples.